Southern Hawker

Description:

he Southern Hawker or Blue Darner (Aeshna cyanea) is a 70 millimetres (2.8 in) long species of hawker dragonfly. It is large, with a long body. It has green markings on the black bodies, and the male also has blue spots on the abdomen. The Southern Hawker breeds in still or slow-flowing water, but will wander widely, and is often seen in gardens and open woodland. This is an inquisitive species and will approach people. The adult eats various insects, caught on the wing. The nymphs feed on aquatic insects, tadpoles and small fish ambushed in the pond they frequent until they emerge as adults in July and August after three years’ development.

Habitat:

The "Rieselfelder" near Münster, Germany.